Thailand’s CATC Secures Historic European Certification to Elevate Aircraft Engineering Standards

The Civil Aviation Training Centre becomes Thailand's sole EASA Part-147 certified body, allowing Thai engineers to meet European standards for the first time.

The Civil Aviation Training Centre (CATC) has marked a transformative milestone for Thailand’s aerospace industry by becoming the first and only institution in the kingdom to be officially recognised as a Foreign EASA Part-147 Maintenance Training and Examination Organisation.

This prestigious accreditation, granted directly by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), empowers the CATC to provide training and examinations that meet the stringent safety and technical standards required by the European Union.

Unlike previous arrangements, this certification was achieved independently rather than through a partnership network, underscoring the centre’s world-class instructional capabilities.

Direct Access to Global Careers

The certification covers Basic Training for the B1.1 (Aeroplanes Turbine) and B1.2 (Aeroplanes Piston) categories. By aligning with European standards, the CATC is effectively bridging the gap between Thai vocational talent and the international aviation market.

Pakanut Makchouy, President of the CATC, described the achievement as a "pivotal step" in bolstering the competitiveness of Thai personnel.

"This certification increases employment opportunities with premier global airlines and international Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) organisations," she stated. "It instills a new level of confidence in our aviation sector and ensures our students are highly sought after by the global market."

Rigorous Modular Instruction

The CATC’s Aircraft Maintenance Department will now deliver the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence (AMEL) programme under a dual-standard framework: meeting the requirements of both the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) and EASA.

To maintain this status, the centre has adopted a modular curriculum identical to those used by leading European academies.

This includes a heavy emphasis on practical skills, assessments by EASA-qualified instructors, and the use of standardised aircraft and simulators, all managed under a robust, continuously monitored Quality System.

Graduates of the programme will receive a Certificate of Recognition (CoR). Crucially, this qualification allows engineers to significantly reduce the "Basic Experience" duration typically required to apply for an EASA Part-66 licence—the gold standard for aircraft maintenance recognised in Europe and beyond.

A Regional Aviation Hub

The achievement reinforces Thailand’s ambition to become a sustainable regional aviation hub. The CATC is already a Platinum Member of ICAO’s TRAINAIR PLUS programme—one of only 12 such institutions globally and one of five in the Asia-Pacific region.

With existing roles as a certified training body for air traffic control, flight training, and language proficiency, the addition of the EASA Part-147 status cements the CATC’s position as a comprehensive centre of excellence for the global aviation industry.